President honored with Women in Space Science Award

May 4, 2012

President France A. Córdova received the Women in Space Science Award from the Adler Planetarium Women's Board on Wednesday (May 2) in Chicago. The board presents the annual award to a leading female in science, technology, engineering, or mathematics (STEM). The honoree spends the day with more than 200 young women from Chicago area schools and is recognized at a luncheon.

By celebrating the achievements of women in science, the Women's Board seeks to inspire young women to pursue careers in these fields.

Córdova is a former NASA chief scientist and a Senate-confirmed member of the National Science Board. She was unanimously confirmed by Congress as a citizen member of the Smithsonian Institution Board of Regents and was recently elected chairperson for a three-year term.

She has served on the Fundamental Science Committee of the National Science and Technology Council and the President's National Medal of Science Committee, and she has been involved with the National Science Foundation, the National Research Council, the National Academy of Sciences, and other nonprofit agencies devoted to the promotion of science.

The women's board is Adler Planetarium's lead partner in education, supporting the museum's education, research and advocacy missions. Since 2002, the board has provided essential support for the Adler's education programs.